Last month, California Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco) introduced SB 129, ASA-sponsored legislation that will prevent workplace discrimination against legal patients. When adopted, the bill will prevent employers from firing an employee based solely on his or her status as a medical cannabis patient. This reasonable measure contains an exemption for employees in safety-sensitive positions (like health care providers, school bus drivers, operators of heavy equipment, etc.), and maintains the current prohibition on using medicine or being impaired by medical cannabis use in the workplace.

We need you to help us build support for SB 129 in the California Senate by asking your State Senator to co-sponsor the bill. Find your Senator and send an email today!

ASA is committed to protecting and expanding patients’ rights, and we have been working to end employment discrimination since 2006! This fight took us to the California Supreme Court and the State Legislature in 2008. We passed a similar bill that year, but it was vetoed by former Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. With your support and participation, we are going to pass this bill again this year and get the new Governor’s signature!

SB 129 is only one of the many battles ASA is fighting for patients in California. Our successful advocacy, grassroots training, media, and legal work have resulted in important court precedents, expanded rights, and more compassionate community guidelines. We can only do this work if we have your support. Can you take a minute right now to make a special contribution to support SB 129 and all of the important work ASA does?

Thank you for your generous support and ongoing participation!

• Get more information about SB 129.
• Download a copy of SB 129.
• Read more on the ASA Blog.

My comments are followed by a panel discussion on cannabis and athleticism including ASA member and mixed martial arts champion Toby “TigerHeart” Grear. I testified for Toby at the California Athletic Commission last year when he was suspended for testing positive for medical cannabis in a pre-fight drug screening. Toby’s suspension is another example of the need to end discrimination against patients – one of the priorities for California ASA I mentioned in my comments.

I was pleased to learn that NORML awarded me the Peter McWilliams Activist of the Year Award at the conference. Unfortunately, I did not get word of the honor before the award was presented at the opening night dinner. Thanks to NORML for the award. Sorry I missed it!